Celebrating 15 Women's #BlackMomMagic This Mother’s Day

Give them their crowns!

It’s often hard to overstate the impact of a black mother’s love.

Her selflessness, her lessons, her joy and more are what make her pure magic, to which anyone with a black mom or mom figure can attest.

That’s why this Mother’s Day, HuffPost Black Voices asked readers to brag about their mom’s #BlackMomMagic. Fifteen sons, daughters and loved ones sent in their moving responses; it’s not hard to see why these women are simply magical.

Read what these loved ones have to say about their amazing black moms below and continue the conversation on Twitter, Facebook or in the comments below using the hashtag #BlackMomMagic.

Some submissions have been lightly edited for grammar and punctuation.

Tiya Cunningham-Sumter is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Kyler Sumter
I could go on for several paragraphs about how blessed I am to have her as my mom. She inspires me daily. By day she's a job development specialist at The Cara Program in Chicago where she mentors and teaches individuals who may have fallen on hard times how to write a resume, have a successful interview, and how to have longevity in the workforce. By night she's at home either posting to her blog The Bolder Sister, which she created to help motivate other shy girls like herself to reclaim their shyness and live fearless lives, or writing an article for a website she writes for called Black and Married With Kids where she has won several 'writer of the year' awards. She just finished her second book Hello BOLD! and a few weeks ago she was invited to speak on Michael Baisden's radio show to discuss overcoming your fears.

But my love for her extends far beyond admiring her accomplishments. Outside of all of these amazing things, not a day has gone by where she hasn't spoken words of life into my sister and I. I know that I can do anything because she said that I can and because she puts more energy into nurturing us than she does any of the things I've listed above. I know what love is because I have her, someone who values my dreams and my happiness and will even put them above her own. I don't know how she does it all, she's my superwoman. Truly #BlackMomMagic.

- Kyler Sumter
Gertie D. Bias is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Cecily Holland
My mom is the definition of true #BlackMomMagic. Mother has never met a stranger and is truly kind and caring to all. Mom is an encourager, supporter, sister, mother, wife, and true definition of what a mother should be. She tells me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. My Mom is also considered legally blind. She has glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa; a rare eye disease she inherited from her father. My Mom was forced to give up her car keys and car due to these devastating diseases. She stopped driving when I was in the sixth grade... Mom is a super advocate for the blind and deaf population in this area. She currently serves as president of the board for Affiliated Blind of Louisiana. Despite the vision loss and having to walk with a cane, she maintains a really sunny disposition and cheerful attitude on a daily basis. I hope to be half, if not all the woman she is and models for me in this lifetime. I love you Mom. #BlackMomMagic

- Cecily Holland
Felicia Mathieson is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Mahlon Mathieson
From the start my mom and I never really got along. I am more free spirited and aloof, while my mom has always been stringent and a toe-the-line woman. Think Clair Huxtable. Irregardless of our bumping heads, my mom is the strongest woman I think I will ever have the pleasure of knowing. Not getting into all of the grimy details, but her story is the one of so many black moms across America, young mother, multiple kids, and even though my dad is amazing and has always been present, there is nothing like a mother's touch I think we would all agree. Raising five children while my dad worked during the days and attended school at night, giving up and sacrifices so many of her dreams just to ensure that I can stand here today as an EMT, summa cum laude Bachelor's of Science holder and soon having my Public Health Masters; soon to be touting my doctorate, I'd have to say my mom is pretty damn amazing.

Just to sum it up, Felicia Mathieson is everything that everyone aspires to be. Everywhere she goes she leaves just a little bit brighter and everyone she encounters she leaves them with so much joy, forever encompassing her favorite tenet, "Leave the world a little bit better than you found it."

Words I aspire to live by everyday.

- Mahlon Mathieson
Teresa Carter is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of James Carter
My mom, Teresa Carter, is the most selfless, loving, and overall amazing woman to ever walk this earth. She loves fiercely and unconditionally, holds her children to the highest of expectations, and constantly challenges us to uphold the standards of excellency and self-improvement she exhibits day-to-day. No one is more deserving of recognition than my mother and I wish I could give her the entire world. As I graduate from college this Mother's Day Weekend, I am dedicating my degree to the woman who pushed and supported me unwaveringly throughout this entire process -- mom you are one in a million!

- James Carter
Krista Williams is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Jamilah Williams
My mom, Krista Williams, exemplifies #BlackMomMagic because she is fearless, adventurous, and my biggest supporter! She loves being outdoors and going to concerts. She bakes the best cookies and has great taste in shoes. I can always count on my Mom for advice, endless love, and the latest gossip on Stacey Dash (we both can't stand her ha!).

- Jamilah Williams
Ernestine Winona Sheppard is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Phillip William Sheppard
May 3rd, would['ve] be[en] my mom's 92nd birthday. She was an extraordinary woman...smart, honest, funny, loyal, fierce defender, life of the party, take-no-prisoners kind of lady. She loved to roller skate, debate, teach and learn. She attended college, made the Dean's List, graduated and became a nurse after giving birth to 12 children. She could speak the King's English or cuss like a sailor - whatever the situation called for. Her eyes could cut like a knife or twinkle with laughter. But what I think about today is that she had a thousand ways to let us know that she loved each one of her 12 children fiercely and unconditionally. We knew we were loved. Happy birthday, Ernestine Winona Sheppard!

- Lintonia Sheppard


As I looked down Santa Monica Beach earlier this evening I thought about you Mother in this picture, on a beach circa 1953 in North Carolina. What a glorious day it is here, I imagine it is for you. I also assume it's your birthday, then also May 3rd, and your Mother Ma Dear, as we call her, is watching your kids Tracee, Hubert, Lois and Arthur the first set of twins, so you and the girlfriends could have a day at the beach, on your birthday, your hair flying in the wind.
Happy Birthday, you are missed but my love is here forever more.

- Phillip William Sheppard
Lillian Alston is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Raydiance Dangerfield
Everyone deserves someone in their life who always sees the best in them even when they can't see it for themselves. For me, that person is my mother. When I was a child, she worked overtime and weekends to expose me to new cuisines, cultures, countries, and the arts. She has always modeled being giving to others whether it's supporting a family member or volunteering for community service through church. For example, she serves food at the women's homeless shelter, is currently raising money to help for medical care for a family member in Honduras, and even in the small things such as sending Old Bay to my cousin (her niece) in Texas because she loved it when she visited years ago. Everything I love about myself comes from her. She is the most compassionate person I've ever met. She is unwaveringly loyal and kind, but she ain't no punk! I thank God for blessing me with such a dynamic woman. Not to mention, she is 63 and looks like this!!

- Raydiance Dangerfield
Sandra Casimir is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Alexa Green
My mother, Sandra Casimir, exemplifies #blackmommagic because she is my hero, role model, the president of my fan club and my best friend. All by herself, my mother has provided me with the best opportunities even though I know sometimes that meant she would struggle. All she wants is for me to be happy, successful and confident in who I am. She was there for me when I found out I had a learning disability, she was there for me when I got bullied for the color of my skin while being the only black girl in my school and she was there for me when I was elected the first black female president in my school's history. Although I am getting older and sometimes think I'm grown when I'm with my mother I know I will always be her little girl.

- Alexa Green
Alicia Rocker is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Alyssa Harris
My mother, Alicia Renae Rocker is the poster woman for #BlackMomMagic. She is a counselor at one of the most underprivileged schools in our community. She is so thoughtful and caring to the students. Many of them incur some type of abuse or tough home situations, and she is a constant calm to their storm. When I visit the school, and my mom introduces me as her daughter, the kids are persistent in reminding me how lucky I am. They tell me I have to share her. I assure them there is enough of her #blackmommagic to go around. She has made an amazing impact on so many young people in our community, and she did a great job with me and my siblings. (If I do say so myself.) I know over 100 other people that could write this same post. I just want to thank her on behalf of all the lives she changed, including mine. Mom, keep being our stunning shining star. We love you!

- Alyssa Harris
Robyne Walker is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Aliyah Walker
My mother is a woman of resilience, style and integrity. A social butterfly who can move a room wherever she goes, enamoring them by the pure love she radiates. I recall asking my dad why he married her and he told me, "because she's my best friend." She is the beautiful bright sun to my clear blue sky and I will always be thankful for the sacrifices she has made for me. ❤️

- Aliyah Walker
Crystal Raper is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Briana Raper
This is my mom, Crystal Raper. She is the strongest person that I know. From losing her mom, brother, and sister, my mom is still being strong. I just want to thank her for being the "mother and the father parent" as a single mother. And I also want to thank her for being there right from the start and just teaching me how a Black Queen should act. Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Love you.

- Briana Raper
Namoi Monteiro is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Melody Monteiro
This is my mother, Naomi. She's 88 and my best friend.
Valencia Abbot is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of DeAnna Broome
My mother, Valencia Abbot, is Black Mom Magic. There was a time when she was homeless and living in her car, but still managed to make it to all of my sisters and I's basketball games and track meets. Through it all she still had a positive outlook on life which encouraged me to do the same. She taught me to love my brown skin and not to rely on others to change your situation. Now she is healthier, physically, has a job she loves, and has a home for her grandchildren to come by for a visit. She never gave up and I hope to be half the mom and woman she is to my daughters.

- DeAnna Broome
Erma Singleton is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Shayla Singleton
This is my Mother, Erma Singleton. She passed in 1992, when I was only 9 years old. I believe she defines #blackmommagic because she made the ultimate sacrifice with her life. After she and my father raised my three sisters and when the last one was enrolled into college, she found out she was pregnant with me at 41 years old, she sadly also found out she was beginning her 2nd battle with breast cancer. Given the option to terminate and begin treatment, she declined allowing me to survive. I am forever grateful. Unfortunately, during her pregnancy, her cancer developed so rapidly and she gained her wings 9 years later. I treasure the time I had with her and strive to be a portion of the mother she was. She is dearly loved and missed beyond measure.

-Shayla Singleton
Carol Robinson is #BlackMomMagic
Courtesy of Ashlee Robinson
How can you describe the person who has given you the world into a mere paragraph? You can't, but you try. Brave. Fearless. Loving. Wild. Funny. Giving. Sarcastic. Humble. Resourceful. Intelligent. Incredible. Inspiring. Moving. Superwoman. I hope the words I used gave you an image of what kind of woman my mom is. Lord knows she deserves more. Happy Mother's Day

- Ashlee Robinson

These accounts have been edited and condensed for clarity.

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